Nine mortuary science students from Dongguk University in Seoul, Korea attended an intensive, one-week training session at San Antonio College, Jan. 5-11, to learn Western practices in the field.

"In Korea, the study of mortuary science is really just beginning," said Dr. Mini Nam, Professor of the Graduate School, Department of Funeral Culture, who spoke through an interpreter.

She explained that one reason traditional Korean funeral practices differ from those in the U.S. is that bodies are buried within 2-3 days, thus eliminating the need for embalming. However, Nam said this is changing now as a result of globalization and the increased presence of Westerners in Korea.

After visiting mortuary science programs in several states (including Florida, California, and New York), Nam picked San Antonio College because she said the program was closest to their interests and needs.

The one-week curriculum includes the study of North American funeral directing, embalming, and human anatomy. Students take field trips to cemeteries, crematories, casket companies, and the Funeral Service Museum in Houston. Their studies also touch on the religious, cultural, historical, legal, health, technical, and business aspects of mortuary science.

Dongguk University students have come to San Antonio College for mortuary science training since 1998, with the only interruptions due to immigration restrictions following the September 11 attacks and the SARS epidemic last summer.

For more information, call Coordinator Mary Allen-Martin at 733-2036.